Maraschino Sauce
A luscious cherry-flavored sauce with maraschino cherries and syrup, perfect for ice cream and desserts, offering a sweet, tangy, and vibrant cherry taste.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix sugar, cornstarch, and salt together in a saucepan.
- Drain cherries and reserve the syrup.
- Gradually stir in the reserved syrup and water into the saucepan.
- Stir constantly and bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
- Cover the saucepan and simmer for 3 minutes.
- Cut the cherries in halves and stir them into the mixture.
Tips & Substitutions
For a thicker sauce, you can increase the cornstarch slightly or let it simmer a bit longer. If you're out of maraschino cherries, consider using fresh cherries or another fruit like canned peaches for a different flavor. Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less sugar based on your preference and the ripeness of the cherries.
Serving Suggestions
This Maraschino Sauce is delightful drizzled over vanilla ice cream or pancakes. It also makes a fun topping for fruit salads or yogurt parfaits. Pair it with the Thanksgiving Cranberry Apple Salad for a sweet contrast, or use it as a dip for fresh fruit. Perfect for adding a splash of color and flavor to desserts.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Maraschino Sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. When ready to use, simply reheat it gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. Avoid boiling to maintain the sauce's texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Maraschino Sauce contains roughly 157 calories, with 0g protein, 38g carbohydrates, and 0g fat. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1167mg per serving (51% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?
Yes, fresh cherries can be used, but you'll need to adjust the sweetness and syrup consistency. Use a bit more sugar and possibly a splash of cherry juice to mimic the maraschino flavor if desired.
How can I make this sauce less sweet?
To reduce the sweetness, simply decrease the amount of sugar in the recipe. You can also balance it with a splash of lemon juice for acidity, which will enhance the overall flavor without making it overly sweet.
Is this sauce suitable for vegan diets?
Yes, Maraschino Sauce is vegan as it contains no animal products. Just be sure to check that the maraschino cherries you use are not processed with any non-vegan ingredients, as some brands may vary.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).